5 Pros and Cons of Going to College

College has become the next step for the American Dream family in today’s society. Come your junior year of high school, your parents drag you around from college to college, taking tour after tour and doing the weirdest mascot motions for each school (the UNF swoop, Mom). Senior year is full of just finalizing the process of acceptance and getting ready for your last summer at home. Then come the college years. But, is it all worth it? Many have been posing that question recently, and here’s my take:

5 Pros and Cons of Going to College

Pro– The experience. College is a time to explore all the possibilities life has to offer, whether that is determining a future career path or finding the one you love. It is a time to be exposed to new experiences, and become more cultured.

I got really involved with the military community and ended up working for the FSU Student Veterans’ Center!

Con– Money. College is a great experience, but also a very costly one and tuition continues to rise. Tuition isn’t the only expense either. You have to also factor in the cost of books, meal plans, housing, and living expenses, such as groceries, toiletries, new bills (remember, you’re an adult now, right?) and some extra spending money.

Pro– “Finding Yourself.” Many times people will go to college in an effort to find themselves. This is part of the experiences. You get to try out new things and see what you like or don’t like. Also, if you are going away to college, it is often a chance for you to start again. You won’t be surrounded by the neighborhood kids that you grew up with and attended all levels of grade school with. You will get to meet new people, try new styles, and explore the many possibilities that can define you.

One of the best communities I became involved with was the Baptist Collegiate Ministry. This is my fish family (my bible study group), who became family in its truest form.

Con– “Finding Yourself.” One thing I never understood, though, was the concept of finding yourself. Were you ever lost? Where did you go? How did you lose track of your own body/mind? I can understand trying new experiences, and seeing if you like new things, but finding yourself? I sure hope you aren’t so lost that you forget how to eat, sleep, or walk.

Pro-New friends! One of the greatest things about college is making new friends; you know the ones that last a lifetime? These are the ones that are uplifting and encouraging, and are there for you no matter what. They will stick it through with you when you are dumped by the guy you were engaged to, or will go on two a.m. Wal-Mart runs, and explore golf courses in the middle of the night, getting lost with a soccer ball. They may also be the ones who get you so intoxicated on your 21st that you spend the rest of the night on the bathroom floor. But, they are the ones that make lasting memories.

Con– New friends. While making new friends is great, you have to be careful about the type of friends you make. Maybe they are the type that are only friends with you if you bow to their every demand, but once you ask a favor, they can’t even lift a finger, or tilt their head in response. Or, maybe they are the type that like to party so much that you actually spend more time trying to babysit them late at night, rather than actually having a full conversation when they are sober. Some “friends” can be toxic to your way of life and your success. The partying and drama can distract you from your studies; the studies you are spending you children’s future salaries on.

Pro-Football games. One of the biggest reasons I chose FSUoverUNF was because FSU has a football team. I know that shouldn’t be a determining factor, but it was a big factor for me. I always saw myself at a big university, sitting in the bleachers when its 40 degrees out, wrapped in a blanket, and screaming like it was the end of the world for my team. There is nothing like some good old team spirit, which my high school lacked very much (and understandably so. They were awful in every sport!). The University of North Florida was a pretty strong candidate for me because they were close to home. And though they have a pretty good basketball team, basketball isn’t really big in the south (unless you are Miami south. And I don’t like Miami.). So, FSU was chosen. And, I’m so glad! Our football team has had some ups and downs, but oh so many fun games! And who wouldn’t want to win the National Championship their senior year?! Fun fact: FSU is voted as the best mascot and traditions in college football.

My step-dad took this awesome picture of Chief Osceola and Renegade.

Con– Money. Part of tuition costs include the price of football tickets, which increases the amount you are paying to attend. Yes, football is awesome and fun and great and exciting and….but it doesn’t help you ace you test the following Monday.

It’s okay to tailgate in the name of Florida State football!

Pro– Graduation! So, you have done the whole 4+ years of late night partying (let’s be honest here),all-nighters, clubs, organizations, football games, and I guess I should mention classes, and the time finally comes when you are free! No more homework for you, missy. It’s bittersweet because you are excited to finally start your life, but have been so accustomed to school because you have gone for 16+ years. But, there is pride being able to walk across that stage, hold your diploma and said, “I did it!”

I’m smack-dab in the middle, with the red hair, switching my tassel over.

Con– Graduation. With graduation comes adulthood, which let me tell you right now, sucks! That means becoming independent of your parents (which you couldn’t wait for), only to find that you are broke and have no clue what you are doing. Sure, you studied all those years to get a career, but a career in what? I think I will just resort to building forts and pretending I’m magical again.

What would you add to the list? What do you like/dislike about college?

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About Shannon

Hi! I'm Shannon, a lover of dogs, coffee, books, words, and Jesus! I hold a Bachelor's in English, with a minor in Communications from Florida State University (Go 'Noles!). Take a peak around, meet Tucker, my rescue mutt, and say 'Hi!'